This weekend myself and my team are running the Angkor Empire Marathon in Siem Reap, and the Sydney City to Surf the following weekend. Each of us has their own reason for running. One of my inspirations this year is Saray.
We met Saray in 2009 when she was 15 years old. She had just been enrolled in the This Life Cambodia scholarship program and had been given a bike to help her travel to school. She told us firsthand about the struggles her and her siblings faced after their parents had passed away. Saray was raised by her older sister (pictured above), who did everything in her power to ensure that Saray could receive the education that she couldn’t.
Saray also told us about her dreams:
“If my dream job comes true I will help my family have an easier life because I can work and earn money. I will be grateful if my dream is successful. If my dream is successful, I hope to teach poor children.”
We caught up with Saray and her sister again not long ago in their home. They were tending to the vegetable farm that Saray helped fund for her family. She finished high-school with her This Life Cambodia scholarship, and went on to study teaching at a Siem Reap university. She is now living her dream as a successful teacher, educating the children of her community.
Right now we have a chance to help many other students in Cambodia to achieve their dreams, just like Saray. Our team in Cambodia have split into two teams. We are all running this weekend to help some of the most underprivileged students in Cambodia, and their families, to live a better life.
Can you help make this happen?
Our vision is a Cambodia in which every person has the opportunity to live their life fully, not in their next life, but in this life.
Thank you for being a part of this journey.
All the best,
Billy Gorter
Executive Director
Again a run? Now you end up like an Usain Bolt compare to my condition;) Go for it !